first large-scale walkout in the industry in 35 years. Union representatives called on oil companies to improve safety in (an) enforceable way. As a result, for the duration of the strike, Port Arthur Refinery was forced to implement the facility's strike contingency plan, calling for nonunion operators to operate the facility while negotiations continued. Nevertheless, according to local sources, the plant was forced to run at 50% capacity, including several units that were shut down for repairs. In mid-March 2015, representatives from both sides reached a four-year national agreement that ended the country-wide strike. 2017 Saudi Arabia Acquisition Four years after Port Arthur underwent its $10 billion expansion, making the facility the biggest producer of gasoline, diesel and other petroleum products in the United States, Saudi Arabia-based Saudi Aramco took over as sole owner of the facility. News organizations had reported that Shell and Aramco's joint business venture began to unravel shortly after the multi-billion dollar facility expansion. Increases in operating costs subsequent to the expansion combined with the 2015 workers strike damaged relations between these oil giants beyond repair. As per the dissolution agreement with Shell, Saudi Aramco retained Motiva's name, Port Arthur refinery, and 24 distribution terminals. In Texas, under the agreement, Aramco has the exclusive right to use the Shell brand on gasoline and diesel sales. In return, Shell retained two Louisiana refineries (Convent and Norco), eleven distribution terminals, and received a $2.2 billion balancing payment. Energy and Middle East experts speculated that, through acquiring Port Arthur Refinery, Saudi Aramco would maintain a dominant presence on the Gulf of Mexico coast. Effects on public health A study in the Journal of Occupational Medicine found that workers at Port Arthur refineries were more likely to die from diseases like brain cancer, stomach cancer, leukemia, and other forms of cancer. Furthermore, nonwhite workers were more likely to die at younger ages than white workers. Nonwhite workers also experienced higher proportionate mortality ratios than their white counterparts with regards to deaths from all cancers, and deaths from accidents, suicide, or homicide. White workers had a higher proportionate mortality ratio for prostate cancer than nonwhite workers. However, a different study from the same journal followed a cohort of workers at the Port Arthur refinery and found conflicting evidence that said overall, the workers did not suffer from excess mortality rates compared to other Texas residents. A study found approximately 36% higher